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i @with wf @Hf-wf @Hire CHARLES CROW, OF ONARGO, ILLINOIS.

Letters Patent lTo. 64,949, dated Mug/ 21, 1867. I

IMPROVEMENT IN LIFTINGJACKS.

TO ALL WHOM THIS MAY OONCERN:

Be it known that I, CHARLES CROW, of Onargo, in the county of Iroquois, and Statepof Illinois, have invented arl-Improved Lifting-Jack; and I doV hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andv exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and letters of'reference iuarked'thcreon, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective representation-of luy improved lifting-jack.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same.

The object cil my invention is to combine in one machine the windlass and rack, so that both may be operated in conjunction as a power for raising buildings of small dimensions made of wood, but more especially those resting on or near the ground, in which the water comes so near the surface. that it is inconvenient to use the common jack-screw.

s The nature consists in using a substantial frame in which operate one or more vertical racks, which may be raised or lowered by'means of suitable cog-gearing. The sill or bottom ofthe house ismade to rest on steps secured to the rack, which, when elevated, will raise the house. It consists further in the use of a chain or rope operating upon the shaft of the cog-wheels as a drum passing upward over a pulley, then downward and under the house, connecting with a similar chain operated by the same kind ofjack on the opposite side of the house.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will'describe its construction and operation. i

A represents the strong substantial frame, made of wood or other suitable material. B C show the vertical guides. secured to the frame A which supports the racks I). These racks have the tongues m, which operate in the grooves U, made in the sides of the guides B C for the purpose ci' holding the racks in position when ele-v vated by means of the gearing. F F are the girts which prevent the guides C from spreading apart, and n is the tie which supports the tops of the guides B C. S .shows the shaft operating in bearings secured to the frame A, which supports the ratchet-wheel R, crank T, and cog-wheel P. V shows the shaft supporting the cog-wheel o, which is also used as a drum for operating the rope or chain E. The opposite ends of the shafts are supported by that part of the frame AShown at A; and when two' racks are used, as shown at fig. 1, itis necessary to use similar wheels to O P upon the shafts V S at the proper place, so that both racks may be operated inconjunction. When it is required to raise heavy buildings. two racks ought to be used, as thejack will stand more. steady, and is not so liable to be strained. l3nt for very smallbuildings a single rack, when using the rope and drum at the saine time, is sufficient. Q represents the braces supportieg the guides C, and maybe made either straight o r curved, as most convenient. I shows .steps for supporting the building when elevating the saine. I represents inortises made in the racks C for the purpose oi' supporting steps similar to I when it is required to raise any body that is too high to be conveniently reached by the lowerstcps. J shows the common pulley over which the rope or' chain E passes, as seen at fig. 2. This rope operates against the inner side of the roller II, which prevents thc rope from being drawn out of place.

Operation.

The red lines Yrepresent a broken section of the house resting'on the steps I and chain X, which is secured to the rope E at W. The chain X is supposed to pass under the house and connect with a rope operated by the jack placed on the opposite side of the house. Y After the jacks have been adjusted in this manner all that is require-'l is to turn the crank 'I seas to 'elevate the rack the required distance. The number ofjaclis necessary for raising ahouse must dep-end'upon its size and weight. The size of the drum V is made so as to take up the rope precisely with the movement of the racks upward. J is the common p'awl for holding the ratchet R.

I do not consider the rack and pinion a new device, they having been used for many years and various purposes; I'therefore do notpclaiin them. But the arrangement of the movable steps I is new, and when used in combination with the devices disclnimed provides means for raising buildings much higher than if single stationary steps were used. The rope and drum is also an old device, and for that reason is not claimed. But the arrangement of the roller H, pulley J, and drum V is new and practical, as seen utiig. 2.

Having thus described my device, what I claim as my invention, is-

1 1.V The arrangement and combination of the movable steps I, racks D, and guides B C, when constructed to operatev substantially as and for the purpose setgforth.

2. The combination of the roller I'I, rope E, pulley J, inner guides @Vaud drum V', when arranged substantially as and for the purpose described. f

' CHARLES CROW.

Witnesses:

Asi'nrn F. CHAPIN,

A. L. CHAPIN. 

